Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has broken the fifth metatarsal in his right foot, the club announced today.

The playmaker, who was already recovering from a groin problem this summer, suffered the injury in training on Wednesday morning.

It is exactly the same injury that Real left-back Marcelo had back in December and he was out for three months, the period that Alonso is expected to miss.

Los Blancos' bid to recapture the La Liga title from Barcelona began with a late 2-1 win against Real Betis on Sunday.